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Excellence in Teaching Awards

2004-2005 Award Winners

Joe Kaminski began as a Graduate
Assistant in Campus Recreation at UNO during the Fall of 1980. The same
year the HPER building opened.His undergraduate degree is from the
College of Wooster, Wooster, OH. He received his MS Degree in Physical
Education from UNO in 1982. Joe served as one of three Ombudsperosn for
UNO from 1992-94. He was the State Director for the National Intramural
Recreational Sports Association from 1993-1995. From his start as a
graduate assistant, Joe has moved through the ranks of Campus Recreation to his
current position as Director of Campus Recreation. Joe
is also a Certified Recreation Sports Specialist, Graduate of the NIRSA School
of Recreation Sports Management, Certified Basketball Official for the NE School
Activities Association and Certified in Red Cross First Aid and CPR.

Joe
was recognized by the UNO Staff Advisory Council with the SAC Recognition Award,
the highest award given by the Staff Advisory Council.

Joe began teaching PE 3140 Sports Officiating for the School of HPER in 1985 and
has taught it ever since. He has developed the course and his skills as an
instructor over the years. One nominator wrote about this class saying 'He
teaches the class with a great knowledge of the subject and makes it enjoyable.
He always has a great attitude and great sense of humor'. Another captured
the essence of Joe Kaminski when he wrote, 'In this class Mr. Kaminski has not
only showed us how to become better officials, but also better people.'

Pat Behrns was hired as the UNO head football coach in December, 1993.
His daunting task was to transform a program that had won just four games in the previous two seasons. Before coming
to UNO, he coached as head coach at the University of North Dakota, assistant coach at Utah State and as offensive coordinator
at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.ames in Barcelona, Spain, and Dubai, UAE.

Pat turned the program around and over the past nine
seasons, the Mavericks have won four conference titles and have the best winning percentage in league play of anyone in
the North Central Conference. The Mavs have also made four trips to the NCAA playoffs. Behrn's Maverick record of 76-46
ranks him second in school history in victories and .632 in winning percentage ties him for first place. He has had
eight players earn All-American honors, including 2003 national rushing leader Justin Kammrad, who was a finalist
for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

Pat, a native of David City, Nebraska has been named
the NCC Coach of the Year four times, in 1996, 1998, 2002, and 2004. He also was a recipient of the Omaha
Sportscaster' Association Sportsman of the Year award in 1996.

One of Pat's
nominators wrote, 'He completely turned around UNO's Football Program and he
cares about the students he teaches.' Another supporter said, 'Pat Behrns
is an excellent classroom instructor. He is thorough, caring, and shows a
strong desire for what he does both in the classroom and on the field. Pat
also does a great job of providing real world opportunities for students who are
interested in pursuing a career in the coaching field.'